Despite Lean Years, Giants Still Among Most Valuable NFL Franchises
The New York Giants haven't sniffed the Super Bowl in over ten years, much to the dismay of their long-time suffering fan base longing for the franchise's return to relevancy.
But if there's one area in which the franchise rules supreme over the majority of its competition, it's in overall financial value.
According to Sportico's annual ranking of the most valuable teams in professional sports from 2023, the Giants were the second highest-ranked NFL team, sitting only topped by the Dallas Cowboys.
Multiple financial factors went into the arrival of the rankings, including total value, team value, team-related businesses, and real estate holdings.
Behind the Giants were the Los Angeles Rams, followed by the New England Patriots, the San Francisco 49ers, and the New York Jets. That's four teams out of the top six that finished last season with losing records and zero playoff berths, proving that while winning on the field can be a boom for business, it's not the only thing.
According to Forbes's calculations from August 2023, the Giants are worth $6.8 billion. The franchise was initially purchased by current co-owner John Mara's grandfather, Tim Mara, in 1925 for the then astronomical sum of $500.
Tim Mara transferred team ownership to his two sons, Jack and Wellington, John Mara's uncle and father, respectively. Jack Mara's half was passed to his children following his death in June 1965, with his son Tim taking control of the family's side of the business.
Tim Mara, who was said to have vastly differed in opinions about how the team should be run versus those held by his uncle Wellington, sold his half of the franchise to Preston Robert "Bob" Tisch for a reported $150 million in 1991. Upon his passing, Bob Tisch's portion of the team went to his widow Joan and his children, of whom Steve Tisch is listed as the franchise's Chairman and Executive Vice President.
